On the evening of June 19, 2023, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang had a phone call with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

Qin Gang said that China and Germany are important cooperative partners, and China-Germany relations are very close. Premier Li Qiang is paying an official visit to Germany and will co-chair the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday. Qin Gang expressed his belief that the consultation will be a complete success with the joint efforts of the two sides. China's development is an opportunity for Germany, not a challenge, still less a threat. China and Germany need cooperation instead of confrontation. China adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace and a mutually beneficial and win-win strategy of opening up. China stands ready to work with Germany to uphold the principles of mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, exchanges and mutual learning, and win-win cooperation, to promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations. The two sides should join hands to support economic globalization, oppose decoupling and severing industrial and supply chains, jointly practice true multilateralism, safeguard regional and world peace and stability, and inject more stability, certainty and constructiveness into the world.

Qin Gang compared notes with Annalena Baerbock on the outcomes of bilateral diplomatic cooperation, saying that the foreign ministries of the two countries will continue to play an overall coordinating role in bilateral relations, deepen exchanges and dialogue at all levels, strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, and work together to address global challenges such as climate change.

Annalena Baerbock said that Germany is ready to work with China to push for fruitful outcomes from Premier Li Qiang's visit and the inter-governmental consultation. Germany adheres to the one-China policy and is ready to conduct closer exchanges and mutual visits with China at all levels, deepen communication, enhance understanding, and strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, response to climate change, green development, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

The two sides also had an exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis, and agreed to continue to maintain communication.